So disappointing a side we've seen blow teams away all season didn't have a real go at Barcelona - that wouldn't have happened across town at Old Trafford

End of the road: Man City's 'Park the bus' gameplan has left them looking at Euro exit (Photo: Clive Brunskill)

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

So, Manuel Pellegrini, who’s the biggest club in Manchester now?

Well, I’ll tell you one thing: Manchester United would have been bold enough to have a go at a visiting Barcelona.

I have never been more ­disappointed in the ­performance of a team I had been looking forward to watching so much than I was by Manchester City on Tuesday night.

For Pellegrini to set up a side that had scored 117 goals this season to play for a 0-0 draw at home was a shocking error.

Barring a miracle in the return leg at the Nou Camp, the Blues – through to the Champions League knockout phase for the first time in their history – will make a limp exit without laying a glove on Barca.

City’s strength has been based on blowing teams away. Barcelona had not won away in five ­Champions League trips. And although they still have fantastic players, the Catalans are perhaps an ageing team.

Of course you can’t go gung-ho when the opposition have Lionel Messi waiting to pick you off on the counter-attack.

But to win the biggest prize in club football, surely you’ve got to be brave enough to go for it?